As a result, on 15 June 2004, the LDP`s General Affairs Council
(Seimu Chosakai) published the `Nine Proposals to Protect the Ocean Rights`, which called for a
comprehensive maritime strategy, and robust measures and legislation to protect Japan`s maritime interests, particularly in the ECS. This Proposal led, in April 2006, to the establishment of a study group comprising the LDP and New Komeito, later joined by the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), to study the establishment of a basic maritime law. Two separate bills creating the Basic Law of the Ocean (http://www.ron.gr.jp/law/law/kaiyou_k.htm) and the Law on Establishing Safety Areas for Maritime Structures